Kenya Lionesses maul rivals to book quarters date with Zimbabwe in Africa Sevens Cup

“Go out there, have fun, and create beautiful, lasting memories for yourselves and the country.”

Those were the words of Kenya Lionesses coach, Simon Odongo, on Saturday to his team just moments after they had booked a quarter-final date with Zimbabwe in Africa Women’s Sevens Cup at the RFUEA grounds in Nairobi.

The Lionesses mauled Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana 44-0 and 37-0 respectively to jump to the top of Pool ‘B’ of the tournament, booking a date with Zimbabwe from 10.06am on Sunday.

Read: It’s a Kenyan affair at Safari Sevens but bigger tests await the two teams

Japan-based Janet Okello landed a brace of tries for Kenya against Ghana while Grace Okulu, who is based in France, Freshia Oduor, Chajira and Moreen Muritu managed a try apiece.

Okello was also the core of proceedings against Côte d’Ivoire, snatching a hat-trick of tries as Chagira, Freshia Awino, Edith Nariaka and Faith Livoi scored a try each.

Zimbabwe beat Mauritius 29-5, only to go down to defending champions South Africa’s Lady Blitzboks 45-0 in their final match of Pool ‘A’. South Africa’s Lady Blitzboks, who are chasing their 12th cup success, also topped their pool unbeaten after they whacked Mauritius 68-0. They will take on Ghana.  

In other quarterfinal matches programmed for Sunday, Madagascar are up against Zambia while Uganda Lady Cranes take on the 2012 champions Tunisia.

“We started this journey almost a year ago. We agreed that we must blow away all our opponents, starting with those in the World Rugby Challenger Series this year,” Odongo said, adding that his players know what to expect against Zimbabwe today. 

Odongo noted that some of their main targets for his team were to win the 2025 World Rugby Challenger Series, and the World Rugby promotion and relegation, which they did.

Read: Why Safari Sevens has lost its magical attraction

“Our next target is 2025 Africa Cup. My players are sober and won’t get excited with small wins. They remain humble and keep working hard, and giving 100 per cent,” Odongo said, adding that he gave each of his players playing time.

Odongo acknowledged that his team is under pressure to deliver, being the home team and also having only won one title in eight final appearances. 

“Fans will expect us to win trophies but we are used to such pressure, having played before at a higher level. What we just need to do is transfer that pressure into points and emerge victorious in each match,” said Odongo, who opted to be cautious, saying Lady Blitzboks, Uganda Lady Cranes and Madagascar have equal opportunities for the title.

Kenya Lionesses skipper, Sheila Chagira, said that even though Zimbabwe are ranked lower than Kenya, they will take every match as a final. 

“We are ready to write a different script at home and our coach knows that. We are ready for any opponent. The trophy has to remain at home,” said Chagira, adding that their mental and game management has improved.

Lady Blitzboks coach, the legendary Cecil Afrika, reckons that the pressure will be intense if they are to meet Kenya in the final but they will focus first on their next match.

“Our desire and hope is to make it 12  but what is important for now is the Ghana match,” said Afrika, adding that their focus is process in terms of where they are and what they need to do and not result. “We shall need to keep Kenyan fans’ high energy down with results from the word go,” said Afrika, noting that Lady Cranes, too, are a hard nut to crack.

Collated results:

Tunisia 22-0 Egypt

Zambia 52-0  Burkina Faso

Ghana 57-0 Côte d’Ivoire

Zimbabwe 29-5 Mauritius

Madagascar 35-0 Egypt 

Uganda  50-0 Burkina Faso

Kenya 44-0 Côte d’Ivoire

South Africa 68-0 Mauritius

Madagascar 21-14 Tunisia 

Uganda 20-14 Zambia

South Africa 45-0  Zimbabwe

Kenya 37-0 Ghana